NCJ Number
139407
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 91- 118
Date Published
1992
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article examines theoretical and methodological issues in the evaluation of prison drug treatment programs.
Abstract
The author first discusses background issues of rising prison populations, increasing drug-using inmate populations, and the history of prior programming. Theoretical issues discussed are the specification of the drug-crime nexus based on relevant research and the basis for clinical models and elements of the therapeutic community. Methodological issues discussed are the goals of program evaluation, data sources, problems with retrospective data sampling, and outcome measures. The three major goals of program evaluation are specified as the identification and description of the program elements; the identification and description of the characteristics of those receiving treatment at three primary junctures; and the identification, description, and explanation of post- treatment outcomes through followup. Elements of the therapeutic community model are illustrated from three existing programs: Stay-N-Out in New York; TRIAD within the Federal Bureau of Prisons; and Righturn in California. Overall, the article argues that theory and evaluation methods must converge if prison drug treatment programs are to be successfully evaluated. 97 references